United States - During a week-long visit to the United States, IOM has brought together US-based employers and leaders from three agricultural organizations in Haiti to exchange information and visit large US farms employing migrant labor.

The visit was part of an IOM project that aims to assist Haitians to find work as seasonal laborers in the US under the H2-A visa category.

The IOM seasonal agricultural labor migration project tries to ensure a transparent selection process, keeping any potential smugglers or unscrupulous middle men out of the equation, guaranteeing the human rights of the migrants and fair wages for their work.

Working with Haiti’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor and with US-based partners Center for Global Development (CGD) and Protect the People (PTP), IOM organized the visit to Washington DC and to farms in the US States of Virginia and New York.

“We decided that inviting certified agricultural workers from Haiti to meet and visit large US farms would be a big selling point for potential employers who need migrant labor, but who may not know enough about the excellent work being done in Haiti,” explains Drazan Rozic, IOM Programme Officer in Haiti.

During a meeting in Washington DC, Haitian workers met with some 60 potential large employers and presented their work through a video filmed on farms in Haiti.

“One of the main concerns is the language barrier. Employers want assurances that the supervisors are able to explain the work and communicate with the workers.  As we undertake the pre-selection process, we are making sure that some of the workers speak English or Spanish.  But once the workers are selected, we will provide basic English language training,” adds Rozic.

“Thanks to funds from the Good Ventures, facilitated by IOM’s non profit partner in the United States, the US Association for International Migration (USAIM), funding for the project has been secured, making ethical and competitive worker recruitment services available at no cost to either the worker or the employer,” explained Luca Dall’Oglio, USAIM’s CEO.

Last November, IOM Haiti met with some 200 potential employers during the 2014 Forum of the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) held in Las Vegas.

Frank Gasperini, President of NCAE told the Haitian visitors:  “I hope that US farmers give you a warm welcome and that you feel as comfortable as I did when I visited your farms in Haiti.”

At no cost to the employer, the IOM project offers pre-selection, selection, pre-departure assistance, including cultural orientation, basic language training, visas, medical screening and transportation to airport of departure, as well as reception in the US, briefing for workers on remittance services available in the area, liaising with the Haitian consulates and with the employer on a regular basis.

“Some US employers have visited the farms in Haiti and are spreading the good word.   But we also encourage others to travel to Haiti to see for themselves the work being done there,” emphasizes Rozic.

The project includes a component for community-based projects in Haiti. Agricultural associations whose workers are selected for seasonal work in the US will receive support from IOM through small infrastructure projects such as irrigation systems, water tanks and other essentials needed to improve their yield.

Both PTP and CGD are well-recognized for their work in promoting the rights of migrant workers and identifying feasible economic development solutions to the challenges posed by structural poverty – in this case by harnessing the potential for development from remittances generated by labor migration.

For more information please contact

Dmitry Poletayev

IOM Haiti

Email: dpoletayev@iom.int

Tel: +509 3680-5099